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The Bachelor of Science (BSc) course is designed to provide excellent science education across a broad range of science and technology areas of study and equip students with a range of knowledge and skills to enhance their science studies. The degree will provide flexible pathways to employment, research higher degrees and many professional postgraduate programs.

Objectives:

The Bachelor of Science has the objective of preparing graduates who embody the University of Melbourne graduate attributes, as well as additional attributes more specific to the BSc. These BSc-specific attributes are incorporated into the University graduate attributes summary (see 'Graduate Attributes') and are indicated in italics.

Course Structure & Available Subjects:

Students commencing the BSc from 2011 onwards

Successful completion of 300 points comprising:

225 points of science subjects including:

At least 62.5 points at Level 1

At least 62.5 points at Level 2

At least 75 points at Level 3 (including 50 points of a prescribed science major at Level 3)

50 points of breadth subjects including at least 12.5 points at Level 2 or Level 3

No more than 37.5 points of breadth at Level 1 may be included in the BSc

Progression: Students must normally complete 50 points of study at one subject year level before proceeding to the next subject year level.

Diversity of Level 1 science study: Students must complete Level 1 subjects from at least two different areas of study. A maximum of 37.5 points at Level 1 from any single area of study may be completed. The areas of study available are: Biology; Chemistry; Earth Sciences; Engineering Systems; Geography and Environments; Informatics; Mathematics and Statistics; Physics; Psychology; Vision Sciences

Science points.

Subjects attracting science points in the BSc are listed below.

Special Arrangements:

In the case of the study area of History and Philosophy of Science (HPS), students who seek to undertake further subjects in order to complete the equivalent of a major in HPS will be permitted to take up to 25 points of additional breadth study in HPS, replacing 25 points of the science requirements of the BSc. For a BSc student, the equivalent of a major in HPS is the completion of 100 points of HPS subjects (25 points at Level 1, 37.5 points at Level 2 and 37.5 points at Level 3 including HPSC30035 Knowledge in the Making. These students will be required to satisfy all other completion requirements of the BSc. This arrangement is only available to students who have not completed any other breadth subjects for credit in the BSc. In order to complete the 112.5 points required at Level 3 within this arrangement (i.e. across science and HPS studies), students should consider undertaking a Level 3 HPS subject in the second year of their course.

Students who commenced the BSc prior to 2011

Successful completion of 300 points comprising:

225 points of science subjects including:

between 62.5 and 100 points at Level 1;

at least 125 points across Level 2 and Level 3;

completion of 50 points of a prescribed science major at Level 3.

Plus either

75 points of breadth subjects including:

between 12.5 and 37.5 points at Level 1;

at least 12.5 points at Level 3.

Or

50 points of breadth subjects including at least 12.5 points at Level 2 or Level 3 and

Students must complete between 75 and 125 points at Level 1 across both components (science and breadth subjects);

Students must complete at least 75 points at Level 3 as part of the Bachelor of Science.

Progression: Students must complete at least 50 science points at Level 1 before proceeding to Level 2 science subjects;

Diversity of Level 1 science study: Students must complete Level 1 subjects from at least two different areas of study. A maximum of 37.5 points at Level 1 from any single area of study may be completed. The areas of study available are: Biology; Chemistry; Earth Sciences; Engineering Systems; Geography and Environments; Informatics; Mathematics and Statistics; Physics; Psychology; Vision Sciences.

Science points.

Subjects attracting science points in the BSc are listed below.

Special Arrangements:

In the case of the study area of History and Philosophy of Science (HPS), students who seek to undertake further subjects in order to complete the equivalent of a major in HPS will be permitted to take up to 25 points of additional breadth study in HPS, replacing 25 points of the science requirements of the BSc. For a BSc student, the equivalent of a major in HPS is the completion of 100 points of HPS subjects (25 points at Level 1, 37.5 points at Level 2 and 37.5 points at Level 3 including HPSC30035 Knowledge in the Making. These students will be required to satisfy all other completion requirements of the BSc. This arrangement is only available to students who have not completed any other breadth subjects for credit in the BSc.

Majors/Minors/Specialisations

Completion of 50 points of study at third year level.

A number of these science majors include specialisations. Descriptions of the specialisations are located within the majors.

N.B.

The Computer Science major and the Software Systems major will not be available after 2013. Students who commenced either of these majors but are not due to complete the B-SCI until after 2013 should complete the Computing and Software Systems major (Level 3 subjects offered from 2014).

The Science Informatics major will not be available after 2013. Students who commenced this major but are not due to complete the B-SCI until after 2013 should complete the Informatics major (Level 3 subjects offered from 2014).

The Bachelor of Science welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and degree policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the degree.

The Bachelor of Science requires all students to enrol in subjects where they will require:

the ability to clearly and independently communicate a knowledge and application of science, technology and engineering systems principles and practices during assessment tasks; and in some areas of study

the ability to actively and safely contribute in clinical, laboratory, and fieldwork/excursionactivities.

Students must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.There are additional inherent academic requirements for some major studies and subjects, and these requirements are listed within the description of the requirements for each of these majors and subjects.Students who feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter with the relevant Subject Coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit:http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Major‐specific core participation requirements

Agricultural Science MajorSpecific Core Participation requirements: Fieldwork and PracticalsThe sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheelchair accessible and require students to traverse broken ground. Visual observation and interpretation of the sites is also an essential component, as is specimen and microscope work.

Animal Health and Disease Major (Veterinary Bioscience Specialisation)Specific Core Participation requirements: Practical classesThis major requires all students to actively, independently and safely participate in all practical classes, utilising a range of observational, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioural and social skills. Visual acuity, muscle coordination, balance, and sensory tactile perception are essential for participation. Details of the participation requirements can be found at http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/CoreParticipationReqs.pdf

Animal Health and Disease Major (Animal Disease Biotechnology Specialisation)Specific Core Participation requirements: Practical classesThis major requires all students to actively, independently and safely participate in all practical classes, utilising a range of observational, communication, motor, intellectual, and behavioural and social skills. Visual acuity, muscle coordination and balance are essential for participation. Details of the participation requirements can be found at http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/docs/CoreParticipationReqsBSc.pdf

Animal Science and Management MajorSpecific Core Participation requirements: Fieldwork, practicals and laboratory experimentsThe sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheel chair accessible and may require students to traverse broken ground. Students are also required to undertake experiments including specimen and microscope work with assessment reliant on careful observation and visual interpretation of results. Practicals may also involve handling and working with animals.

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology MajorSpecific Core Participation requirements: FieldworkThe sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheelchair accessible and require students to traverse broken ground. Visual observation and interpretation of the sites is also an essential component.

Geology MajorSpecific Core Participation requirements: FieldworkThe sites essential to this fieldwork are not wheelchair accessible and require students to traverse broken ground. Visual observation and interpretation of the sites is also an essential component, as is specimen and microscope work.

Further Study:

The Bachelor of Science degree provides pathways to honours, graduate professional entry degrees or, upon completion of appropriate research training preparation following the BSc, research higher degrees.

HonoursDepending on the major undertaken, students may apply for an Honours program upon completion of the Bachelor of Science. Refer to the course entry for further details:

Graduate Professional Entry DegreesFor students who wish to continue professional studies at graduate level, the degree provides a pathway into a range of graduate professional entry programs, some of which also provide research training.

Research Higher DegreesFor students who wish to explore science research questions in greater depth, there will be opportunities to proceed to Research Higher Degrees at masters and doctoral level. Research training preparation within the Honours year, Postgraduate Diploma or a Masters degree will be required as preparation for a research higher degree.